About NRHA

NRHA Organizational History

The following is a brief history of the formation and growth of NRHA into a vibrant and influential organization of more than 20,000 members.

1978

National Rural Primary Care Association (NRPCA) is founded and based in Waterville, Maine.

Sept. 18, 1978—Articles of incorporation are signed in the state of California.

1980

The American Rural Health Association (ARHA) is formed. The association’s goal is to "become a definitive source of information on rural health." ARHA plans publication of a bimonthly newsletter, “Rural Health Communications,” and begins publication of the American Journal of Rural Health.

1982

April 1982—5th Annual Conference on Rural Primary Care, "Strategies for Success," is held April 4-6, 1982, in Jackson, Miss.

The first meeting of state offices of rural health is held in conjunction with the conference.

August 1983—Robert Van Hook is named as executive director and begins operations of the Kansas City, Mo., national office.

NRPCA membership hits 230.

1984

The Board of Directors approves major bylaws changes that restructure the association.

The association becomes the National Rural Health Care Association (NRHCA).

Increased member involvement is established through regional and constituency group representatives on the Board of Directors.

Executive Committee, Nomination Committee and other standing committees are established.

Annual Policy Forum is established as a mechanism for direct member involvement in policy making and an opportunity for the association to produce clear-cut policy statements on important issues.

1986

NRHCA and American Small and Rural Hospital Association (ASRHA) boards of directors vote unanimously to merge the two associations, retaining the NRHCA name. ASRHA members are folded into the NRHCA Hospital Constituency Group.

NRHCA and the American Rural Health Association (ARHA) boards of directors pass resolutions to develop and implement a plan to consolidate the two associations on terms that are acceptable to both within two years.

1987

The NRHCA and the ARHA merge to form the National Rural Health Association (NRHA), creating a "new unified voice for rural health."

1988

Six issues are selected as focus areas for the rural health research agenda established by NRHA in December 1987:

NRHA and NACHC's Joint Task Force on Rural Health releases a study that reveals inadequate funding for community health centers due to increased operating expenses of 14 percent, while federal funding increased by only 11 percent.

NRHA sponsors its first Legislative Action Network conference in Washington, D.C., to introduce NRHA members to the federal legislative process and advocacy.

1991

National Health Care Reform—NRHA focuses on national health care reform by developing and distributing an issue paper, “Necessary Components of any National Health Plan,” outlining its position on components needed in a reformed national health plan to meet the needs of rural Americans. The eight components presented in the issue paper were:

universal access to health care;

national direction and funding;

state and local self-determination;

community development;

consumer choice;

financing incentives;

education and training; and

quality and efficiency. 1992

NRHA members elect constituency representatives to the newly established Rural Health Policy Board through a special mail election.

Illinois, Washington and Alabama state rural health associations become the first state affiliates of the newly formed NRHA State Association Council (formed by the bylaws structure revisions ratified by NRHA members in 1992).

NRHA goes online with email and the creation of the association’s website.

NRHA members ratify a bylaws amendment to create the State Office Council, which parallels the State Association Council to provide representation in the association for state offices of rural health.

1997

The Board of Trustees approves a new initiative developed by President Tim Size, “A Community Approach to Rural Health Policy Development,” outlining a set of activities by NRHA to enhance community involvement in developing rural health policy related to health, education and economy.

August 1997—NRHA holds Southeastern Conference on Rural HIV/AIDS, "Issues in Prevention and Treatment," in Atlanta, Ga.; attendance tops 300, making it the largest meeting ever held by the association other than the annual national conference.

1998

Universal Services Fund is established through the Telecommunications Competition and Deregulation Act of 1996.

The National Rural HIV/AIDS Initiative is launched in collaboration with the Office of National AIDS Policy to address the growing impact of the HIV/AIDS epidemic in rural and frontier America, as well as foster increased national, state and local awareness and resources for education, prevention and treatment efforts in rural communities.

The 15-member National Rural HIV/AIDS Task Force convenes for the first time in Albuquerque, N.M.

2001

The House Rural Health Care Coalition and the Senate Rural Caucus introduce the “Rural Health Care Improvement Act of 2001.”

2002

NRHA Board of Trustees approves a new membership policy establishing state rural health association members as affiliate members within NRHA.

NRHA reconstitutes the Minority and Multicultural Council as the Health Equity Council and announces plans to conduct the National Rural Health Equity Conference.

NRHA supports the Senate’s adopted resolution (S. Res. 588), which recognizes access to hospitals and other rural health care providers for patients as essential to the survival and success of rural communities.